AFC Good Read 好讀部落

We've moved!

2008-03-30T00:25:00.001-07:00

This blog has been merged with our other blog "JJ959". It will no longer be update us. To visit us, please go to www.jj959.com. Thanks!

the second book that changed my life

2007-10-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

From RGAC John Fellowship blog:

For those who went to the AFC event, in their book recommendation, they had one called "Blue like Jazz". I saw a drama base on this book 2 years ago, this week when I read it, it hits me hard. God spoke to me through this book and I have to say this is the second book that changed my life other than the Bible.

The book is about the author's spiritual journey, I really like his writing because even I'm a slow reader I finished the book in 4 days. He's got a sense of humor in his writing, it's like reading his journal and see his life being changed. The book mainly talks about sin, faith and love, its written in a way that's extremely relevant to us, because of the similar cultural background, and we have also experienced many of his doubt and sin towards God. I like he start with talking about sin — our sinful natural, our self addiction. Then it talks about God's love and we should response to His love; that is to love the people around us and the less fortunate. So that people would see God love in us.

I learn more about my purpose as a Christian, I start to see God's plan on me and JF and I found I'm different when I pray with the non-Christian basket ball players last night. Cos I truly believe God will change them when I pray with them & for them passionately with love.

I just think its a great and truly beautiful book, I was kind of in tears in the last chapter, I really hope that you will read it too.

- By Arnold

《好讀》第三期（9-12月）推介閱讀

2007-10-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Blue Like Jazz
作者：Donald Miller

For anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a post-modern culture,
For anyone thirsting for a genuine encounter with God who is real,
For anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life...
Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love and redemption.

生命的事奉
作者：滕近輝

本書是作者積多年牧會，授課，多元事奉三方面經驗的心得結晶，除了對事奉的各層面，諸如：奉獻，信心，愛，恩賜等作講述外，還指出事奉的基礎，事奉的價值觀，事奉的危機，事奉的考驗，事奉的品格和事奉的平衡等實際問題上要留意的地方。書中多真實例子，都是作者親身經歷，耳聞，目睹的，使讀者更覺趣味。本書適合有心事奉的人閱讀。

The Air I Breathe
作者：Louie Giglio

We are all worshipers... of something. But are we spending our lives and filling our days with what matters most? The Air I Breathe will awaken you to the reality that worship is more than a service on Sunday. It’s every moment reflecting God’s glory and grace. “Some of the most inspiring teaching on worship I’ve ever heard has come from Louie Giglio. This book has inspired me as a worshiper and as a worship leader.”
- Matt Redman

在「面書」講讀書

2007-06-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

A "Good Read" discussion group has been created on Facebook. Come join us! :)

《好讀》第二期（5-8月）推介好讀

2007-05-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Fifty-Seven Words That Changed The World
作者：Darrell W. Johnson

Nowhere is Jesus’ brilliance more manifest than in the prayer he taught his disciples to pray, the prayer that has come to be known as the “Lord’s Prayer.” A mere fifty-seven words in the original Greek, the Lord’s Prayer gathers up all of life and brings it before God. In eight stirring meditations, Darrell Johnson shows how the Lord’s Prayer sums up the essence of Christian faith and, when prayed in faith, draws us into the Triune God’s work of transforming the world.

屬靈操練禮讚
作者：Richard Foster

屬靈生命的成長並沒有捷徑，要能茁壯長大便須堅毅地操練。本書精要地點出屬靈操練的意義，方法，並操練時要防備的偏差。當中列出十二種屬靈的操練，正是勉勵這個時代的信徒：要開往靈程水深之處，領受神全數的豐富。作者傅士德嘗試以具深度，平衡的手法處理有關課題，實在是難得的一本好書。

The Papa Prayer
作者：Larry Crabb

Like millions of Christians, Dr. Larry Crabb has always considered his prayer life a weakness - “dull, intense only in crisis, occasionally meaningful and passionate but mostly lifelessly routine.” But for everyone who struggles to pray in a way that matters, who is bored with prayer and doesn’t know where else to turn, this groundbreaking book whispers of hope for change.

Safety - the bad kind

2007-05-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Screwtape: 28

Both God and Satan has the power to keep you safe.

Safety allows us to take things for granted, and for some, to lose sight of what is truely important.

When do you pray more? Before exams or after exams?

Always be alert, especially when we are living the good life.
Do you have a job that pays well?
Do you drive a nice car?
Do you get good marks easily?

All those things are good, but don't get numbed by the world.

Satan knows what you know.

2007-05-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

The temptation that comes from Knowledge: Chapter 27

critical thinking
faith
do you believe?
knowledge yields pride yields doubt
But this is a SPIRITUAL world, too. We can't know eveything.
Focus - The Bible is true, what will you do about it?

Are we wasting time nickpicking on the historical context of the Bible instead of using that time to help a couple homeless people?

Why do people always "interpret the Bible wrong"?
Why do we always have to say other people "interpreted the Bible wrong"?

Temptations temptations... beware..

Maybe we can Just focus on the right, there's plenty to do there to last us a lifetime...

Initiate

2007-05-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

May 10th - Take the Initiative

"Add to your faith virtues"... 2 Peter 1:5

After I read the devotion I wonder: "Yah I know this, God calls me and so I have to make it happen"

But how? How to add "goodness"? (What constitutes as goodness these days anyway)

To add, means to have more.... and if I were to add more stuff, is there something that I have to take away?

What to take away?

To initiate taking something out of my life will be hard to do. I've always felt the push of maturity is only to cram more, more, and more...

????

Every once in a while... we are alone

2007-04-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

- April 25th -

There are definite times of drought when we walk this walk of faith.

Sometimes we wonder if we had done something wrong and so God has kept us at a distance. Or maybe we were drifting away from His Purpose and so we should put down everything and go on a self-discovering adventure. Or maybe, just maybe, God simply has forgotten us for a while..

It's easy to be discouraged and confused during these times. But Oswald tells us, ""Be ready in season and out of season", read more about his reasoning in My Utmost For His Highest - April 25th.

Don't worry, we all get lonely every now and then. It's ok, I do too.

Press 1 for Sin. Press 2 for No Sin. Please make your selection now.

2007-04-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

i was doing bible study with K last night and we came upon the same point as today's message in the Utmost book, so I guess I better share it with all of you too.

April 10th:

Sin is sin is sin, no sin is no sin is no sin.
Stealing one stamp instead of $1,000 is still stealing.

However, any thief can become righteous the instant they stopping stealing out of respect and fear of the Lord.

Righteousness is not about what you did, it's about each decision that you make.

:)

Are you an unselfish person?

2007-03-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever have this feeling?

That you give and give and give and nothing seems to be changing or nobody seem to appreciate?

I do. And on a good day I could brush it off thinking " It's fine, God will take care of it. I just do the best I know how and it's fine.."

But sometimes, when I really get stretched too thin or when I'm just not in a Jesus mood, I find myself sulking " Why couldn't they be more understanding? I give and give and give and they take me for granted... "

I always knew sulking is not the best way to handle these situations, but I am glad someone finally had put it down on words as to why and how sulking and dwelling on my "giving" is bad, and what kind of consequences it will have on my life.

Give chapter 26 a read! For those of you who think you are getting too used to giving and showing mercy, you will love it.

So, how now shall we live?

Well, after reading the chapter, this is my take:

Be nice and show mercy when you could, and MEAN it. Don't sulk if other people don't appreciate you. We shouldn't act unselfishly just to expect Jesus points or have others be nice to us as well. True giving, or unselfishness, is above the realm of reciprocity.

"Unselfishness" is a trait that we can show, but if we ever catch ourselves being self-conscious of doing so, we are moving towards the path of hurt already.....

AHHH Screwtape letters is so awesome

I DID IT!!!!!

2007-03-10T23:29:00.000-08:00

尋晚我終於「的」起心肝，走去讀咗本哥林多前書。我終於攞咗本中文新釋本，話到尾都係睇中文容易啲嘅...

我由夜晚10:33一路睇睇睇，終於11:03睇完！！！！

睇完之後，有一種好特別嘅感覺... 有啲insight係我一路都無留意到嘅...

好開心！ :)

OWN4G3.

2007-03-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

More satisfaction than getting accepted into UBC
More jumps than a double black diamond
More plot twists than a Chinese drama
More spice than Hell's Seafood Ramen
More suspense than the Hellevator
More rewarding than finishing FFX
More freefall than skydiving

We all crave adventure, we should.

But to go through all of that and TRIUMPH every single time?

That's L33T.

Follow the Master of Excitement, see My Utmost For His Highest, March 7th.

Serving God

2007-03-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires.

Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that "you are not your own" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ). You are His.

-My Utmost For His Highest, Mar 4

I am His. To some, it may be a burden. To me, this is such an assurance. Serving God is really a blessing.

Feed My Sheep

2007-03-03T23:06:00.000-08:00

When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" ( John 20:21 ).

- My Utmost For His Highest, Mar 3

Sometimes our motivation for spiritual growth is selfish. We want the Holy Spirit to dwell in us so that we can be protected, guided and empowered. We want to be close to the Father because we want to be loved. We just want to be blessed with all sorts of good stuff. It's all about me.
But God send Jesus to pour out his life and so should we be poured out. Are we really prepared to be poured out as we follow the Lord? Why do we never talk about this in evangelistic setting?
Avoiding the truth about following God will only produce Christian who avoid the truth.

Alone

2007-02-28T23:54:00.000-08:00

Many Christian workers have left Jesus Christ alone and yet tried to serve Him out of a sense of duty, or because they sense a need as a result of their own discernment.

There is no tragedy greater thnn the work of a servant of God not being recognized by God himself. Lord, help me stay close to you and in obedience. Only obedience.

But when we do something out of obedience to the Lord, there can be no other explanation-just obedience. That is why a saint can be so easily ridiculed and misunderstood.

-My Utmost for His Highest, Feb 28

我無你咁屬靈

2007-02-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said to yourself, "I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!" When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. [...] We say, "It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things."

最近與一位姊妹傾偈，她談到當她與一些弟兄姊妹分享她在主裡的領受與決心時，換來的總是冷冷的反應。「你就得囉！我就無你咁屬靈囉！」當她鼓勵他們要在主裡進步時，他們便會說：「駛唔駛去到咁盡呀？你中哂毒啦。」

They totaly got it wrong. 只有信，與不信。不完全信，就是不信。若是信，就當完全按照所信的生活。

Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it."

-My Utmost For His Highest, Feb 26

I'd rather be honest... to you

2007-02-24T23:39:00.000-08:00

哥林多前書,我選擇咗睇Good News,唔想睇中文因為唔想睇住和合本,唔明但又familiar,會唔知自己在做甚麼.

同時又找不到一本新釋本.

書架有本Good News,所以開始睇.

I stopped @ chapter 5. and I am now writing the blog.

等隻眼睜番開再睇.

不容易

2007-02-23T23:22:00.000-08:00

自問不是一個讀書容易入腦的人,所以當我需要了解 "How to read the Bible for All it's worth" 的時候,確實是比想像中難.

我正在讀Chapter 3,是解釋聖經新約書信的格式的.他首先叫我們要一口氣讀完整卷書,了解它的整體意思,這樣才能了解作者想講甚麼.

就好像人家給你寄一封信,無論信的內容有多長,他也是整封寫給你的,你要明白信的內容,一定要全封信一次讀完才能明白.

說來也是,人家寫email給你,你也要整個看完才可以呀.

說來有道理,但是做起來呢?

書中以哥林多前書作例子,逐段介紹內容,講層次和格式.

"喂大佬,哥林多前書喎唔係講笑!" That's the first thought came to me...

當我一邊看書,卻一邊發現其實我必須先讀完哥林多前書,才可以明白的內容,否則會很浪費.

所以我現在正努力地讀哥林多前書.

一次過,成本讀.

I'll let you know how long it takes for me to finish it.

超級基督徒

2007-02-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

凡稱呼我‘主阿、主阿’的人、不能都進天國．惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人、纔能進去。
當那日必有許多人對我說、主阿、主阿、我們不是奉你的名傳道、奉你的名趕鬼、奉你的名行許多異能麼。
我就明明的告訴他們說、我從來不認識你們、你們這些作惡的人、離開我去罷。
(馬太福音 8:21-23)

From Ch. 8, on "Functional" vs. "Relational" modes. (Emphasis mine).

Jesus seems to be making our discipleship functional, all based on our doing the will of God. But then he goes on, "On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord'" (claiming that relationship), "did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?". Talk about having the functional aspects of the christian life all together! These people had developed the functional aspects of the Christian life to the optimum. They would certainly have been called 'super-Christians' by observers. But look at Jesus' response; 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers."

我們錯得太多...
... 究竟到了那一天﹐祂會認識我嗎?
求主憐憫... 改變我們的價值觀。不是為主做甚麼﹐為主做幾多﹐或是做得幾「勁」... 而是單單去建立和主這份關係..

Mati in AFC

2007-02-21T23:56:00.000-08:00

Screwtape Letters Ch. 24:

The hidden danger of being among greatness...

I've been working at AFC for close to 9 months now. I have seen/felt some of those traps myself, too. Good thing now that Screwtape has showed me what other ones I should look out for.

Yikes.

(Stupid Satan, always laying down traps to trip us...) -__-!

The Nature of Scripture

2007-02-19T02:45:00.000-08:00

From Shaped By the Word, Chapter Six:

... What, on the one hand, are icons for those whose lives are intimately involved in the reality portrayed by the text are, on the other hand, but pictures, ideas, myths, and images for those who still stand outside that reality.

I believe this is where the conundrum of biblical interpretation lies. No matter how perfectly we reproduce the perceptual horizon of the New Testament world as the context for understanding the terms and images used by the New Testament writers, no matter how objectively and accurately we reproduce the dynamics of human existence in that era, no matter how adequate our cognitive grasp of the life experience of the Christian community; unless we also participate in the experiential reality of life shaped by the living Word, our ultimate understanding of the New Testament writings will be one of seeing images, myths, ideas, and pictures that we can only analyze or "demythologize" in the light of our own experience of human existence.

正!

用中文講是 -
有人說過要遇見神﹐是需要通過在經文中的 images, mythologies, ideas, pictures﹐這一切之中尋求一個icon﹐一個途徑﹐從中希望達到寫聖經那時的屬靈現實。
但是反過來說: 對聖經的筆者來說﹐一些表達屬靈現實的 icon 和途徑﹐對於那些在那個屬靈現實以外的人﹐只不過是一些 images, mythologies, ideas, pictures!
所以如果我們沒有那種成熟﹐給雕琢過靈命的話﹐我們是永遠沒有辦法明白完全地解開經文的。

我覺得這裡說得很正確。有很多時你和一些牧者談話﹐或去問他們聖經問題時﹐你會發覺他越有那一方面的經歷﹐他就越會更對那種經文有深的了解。不單如此﹐你會很震撼地覺得"嘩﹐你打通了!"

可是我很記得有一位牧者對我分享過﹐他花了十年時間﹐經歷過﹐才真正明白以弗所書的其中一篇經文。

...要磨出來的。

當你將啲嘢反轉嚟睇

2007-02-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

係充滿問題、疑惑的？
係帶著期望、肯定的？
係抱著怨恨、不憤的？

Are you letting go your will in order to "accommodate" God's will?
Are you having to sacrifice your wish for God to fulfill His?

OR

Are you lost and don't know how to make a decision?
Are you simply tired and give up on your dreams.

OR

did you fall into this trap...

"It is your business to see that the patient never thinks of the present fear as his appointed cross, but only of the things he is afraid of." p.34

darkness is the time to listen

2007-02-15T23:34:00.000-08:00

...darkness is the time to listen.

- My Utmost For His Highest, Feb 14

Listening is always a difficult lesson, especially in the dark.
When we cannot see, we yell, not knowing that it is in silence, in quietness, in listening that light will be found.
I was talking to a friend today, and he said he just realized that all the figures he drew have no ears.
It's not only him.

Screwtape

2007-02-15T00:11:00.000-08:00

The following is from one of our volunteers 阿中.

I'm reading through C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, as recommended by AFC Vancouver.

It's a good, satirical book. And as with all good satire, it has harsh truths that are illuminated through its irony.

The book is especially powerful in its narrative voice.
I've just finished the 8th letter, and I'm simply blown away by the devil Screwtape's explanation regarding God's withdrawl from man's spiritual life. Quote:

"He cannot 'tempt' to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

Hmm.... Stay strong.

Link to original post in the Keh Leh Feh blog. You may find him sharing about other books too in his blog.

不斷。全然

2007-02-13T22:15:00.000-08:00

Just because I have listened carefully and intently to one thing from God does not mean that I will listen to everything He says.

- My Utmost For His Highest, Feb 13

我有時會有一個錯覺，以為屬靈生命好像打機。一個一個level的打上去，直線發展，只進不退。
屬靈生命沒有那麼簡單。
在這方面做到，不代表在那方面都做到。
在以前做到，不代表在以後都做到。
在這裡做到，不代表在那裡都做到。
只有謙卑，謙卑，謙卑，才能達到不斷，才能達到全然。

主的路只有一條

2007-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way.

-"My Utmost for His Highest", Oswald Chambers, Feb 6

如今，誠然如你所想地，
實在需要片刻的沉思和安靜；
因為，在前面的路途上還有更多的坎坷和不平，
更多的荊棘，困苦，和泥濘。
是的，當黎明快要來臨的時候，
人世間便越顯得黝黑，艱難，幽暗；
但是，你卻這樣地說過：
是自己的手甘心放下世上的享受；
是自己的腳甘心到苦難的道路上來奔走！』
「選中」這條不自由的道路並非出於無奈，相反地
卻正是大膽地使用了自己的「自由」！
所以，
寧肯叫淚水一行行地向內心湧流，
遙望著各各他的山頂，就是至死__
也絕不退後！

-《獻給無名的傳道者》，邊雲波

The good things

2007-02-07T00:11:00.000-08:00

Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good! Sex is good!

Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good! Dating is good!

Screwtape Letters: Chapter 19

讀經有幾難？

2007-02-04T00:07:00.000-08:00

其實對於我嚟講，一直以來讀經都只係「睇經文」，仲要係睇和合本/NIV，最多都係而家加埋新譯本囉。不過當我一路睇"How to read the Bible for all its worth"嘅時候，我先至真正明白，「經，並唔係咁樣睇嘅」。

因為文化嘅差異，時代嘅唔同，有好多好多聖經嘅背境其實都係我哋唔明白嘅。通常講到呢度，好多人（包括以前嘅我）都會話：「我知！以前女人要蒙頭而家唔駛吖嘛！」，之但係背後整個歷史係點呢？當我哋大模斯樣話「我知」嘅時候，講真，其實我哋真係唔係好知㗎咋。

呢本書幫助我哋更了解聖經所寫內容真正意義，聖經背境同你慢慢睇。

遲啲同你講多啲。

經歷《經歷神》

2007-02-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

第一次接觸王志學的《經歷神》是大約14年前。那時剛開始與女朋友拍拖，而我們都希望在我們的交往當中可以一起親近神。所以除了相約在午飯時一起禱告外，我們還會每月一次一起去退修半天。所用的退修資料就是《經歷神》這本書。

那個年代，這種退修資料在市面上並不多（到現在也還是不多），而且默想之類的靈修操練對大部份人來說都是陌生得很的。

但在那些練習當中，我開闊了屬靈生命的眼界。原來與神親近可以有很多途徑。也知道了安靜的重要。

現在過了這麼多年之後，再拿起這本書來看，上面那些自己親手寫下的密密麻麻的字，驚訝當年在靈裡的發現，在今日已不知不覺間成為了我的屬靈根基，自然得像呼吸。

我慶幸當年多花的功夫。

讀經，操練

2007-01-28T16:11:00.000-08:00

常聽人說，”讀經是一種屬靈操練，幫助我們在成聖的路上變得越來越像耶穌基督。” 聽得多了，漸漸對這句說話失去了感覺，有點不以為然。其實，到底什麼才是屬靈操練呢？

在 Shaped by the Word 一書中，Robert Mulholland 提供了一個很有意思的定義： “屬靈操練就是一些我們用以獻給神，讓神藉以施恩給我們的東西。屬靈操練是一個出於愛的順服而獻給神的行動，讓神按祂的旨意把所獻上的運用在我們的生命當中。任何東西，所有東西，也可以是一種屬靈操練，只要我們在把它獻給神的時候認清，神有權選擇如何把我們所獻上的運用在我們的生命裡。”

讀經就是其中一種我們獻給神的行動，讓神可以藉此施恩給我們。有趣的是，倘若讀經真的如此有褔，為什麼還要稱它為操練呢？關鍵在於，神有權選擇如何把我們所獻上的來祝福我們。讀經之所以是操練，是因為我們必須日繼日、月段月、年繼年的把它獻上，而不規範神必須在那個日子、用那種方法、把我們所獻上的化成祝福回贈我們。明白這點，才能明白讀經為何是種操練。

我們今天身處於一個講求 instant gratification 的文化當中。從網上購物到麥當奴的 drive-through，沒有一樣不講求想要便立刻得到。我們對讀經會否也有類似 instant gratification 的期望呢？ Mulholland 說，“屬靈操練所要求的是不顧一切地自我棄絕於上帝面前 (a radical abandonment to God) 。” 意思是說，即使神此刻選擇不用你所獻上的，你仍讚美神，繼續獻上給神 “棄用”。你不向神有任何要求，而是俯就自己，容讓神按祂的心意來素造你的屬靈生命。

如是者，屬靈操練的要訣就是 relinguishment，尤其是論到讀經。讀經有亮光當然好。但總不能期望每次讀經都必須有、必然要有亮光。沒有亮光仍然繼續讀經，這才是操練、才是得道的秘訣。

I am... the florescent light?

2007-01-26T00:10:00.000-08:00

I was having bubble tea with my highschool buddy. He is the type who is well spoken, funny, intelligent, and very good at dealing with people. He's the most alive person I've ever met and back in the day one of my goals was to become more like him.

Tonight, once again, I was listening to him telling his interesting work stories from around the world. In my opinion, it's good to touch base once in a while with the way non-Christians live their lives. And I could also be the 'beacon of light' should my friend ever feel like treading onto spiritual grounds.

It's perfect, I could learn what I want from him and I was also doing him some good by just being there, you know, should he ever go spiritual. Although sometimes hanging out with him involves a lot of drinking and swearing and dirty jokes. I usually try to do the minimum in order to fit in, to make him know I understand him, and hopefully, to testify God's love when the right time comes.

Sin was all around me. Sin was brewing inside of me.
The Screwtape Letters - Chapter 10.

"I am the light..."
.. I feel like a florescent light.
Dull, cold, off in an instant.

好讀介紹：Shaped by the Word

2007-01-02T02:02:00.000-08:00

現代人習慣活在一個講求資訊快速，要求功能實用的文化(Informational-functional culture)當中，我們要求掌握多方面的事實、知識、技能、方法、系統、程式，以致我們能有效地操控自己的世界，在競爭劇烈的社會當中突顯自己的功用。這種求資訊，講功能的思維已經深深地融入於我們的社會結構當中，成為我們生活文化的一部份。拿起一篇文章（包括這篇文章），閱讀一本書，我們會很自然地啟動這種思維方式。

在”Shaped by the Word”一書中，作者Robert Mulholland提醒我們，基督徒也常常不自覺地如此閱讀聖經。他稱這種方式為 ”Informational reading”。Informational reading 通常有以下幾個特徵：（一）嘗試在最短時間之內，找到文章的「中心」與「重點」。（二）把文章表面地讀完。（三）把文章掌握，操控。（四）視文章為一件供我使用的物件，按我的意思，喜好，需要把它「運用」，又永遠與它保持一定的距離。（五）著重分析、批判，評審。以個人的觀點來釐定文章的價值。（六）用文章中的「功能」為我們解決問題。Mulholland 問，「這是否也是我們讀聖經的態度呢？」若果我們真的期望能夠透過閱讀聖經與神相遇，因而生命得到改變的話，單靠informational reading是不足夠的。我們需要培養另一種的思維跟閱讀模式。Mulholland 稱之為 ”Formational reading”。

Formational reading有以下的幾種特質，正好彌補了informational reading的不足。（一）重質不重量。我們盼望能夠在讀經中與神相遇，而不是為了「完成」一本書。（二）不求字面上，平面地讀過文章，而是讓經文勘察我們的內心世界，容許神的說話闖入我們的生命，讓神在我們的心靈深處與我們相遇。（三）不求操控文章，而是讓經文操控我們。我們不是經文的主子，而是上帝話語的僕人。（四）我們與經文建立關係，它是主導者，我們等候在神的說話面前，被它摸索。（五）以謙卑，開放，接納的態度降服在神的說話前，而不是只求分析，批判和評審。（六）不預先帶著一個解決問題的動機來閱讀，而是預備進入神這奧秘當中，容許這奧秘按祂的意思對我們說話。

在閱讀聖經中，informational 及formational reading 是兩者並重，彼此互維。我們從informational reading 進入經文，了解經文的意思，但我們不能停留在那裡，而是進一步用formational reading 來容許神的說話深化我們與祂的關係。如是者，Mulholland 在 “Shaped by the Word” 一書中，開啟了一個新的向度，叫我們能在讀經中與神相遇。全書共十三課，一百七十五頁，適合追求靈命成長的平信徒閱讀，與另一本我們推介的書 “How to Read the Bible for All its Worth”成了絕佳配搭。我們高度推薦這兩本好書。

written by: Wilbur Fong

2007年信息主題：蓄勢：重建二十一世紀的屬靈生命

2007-01-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

《使者》最關心的，始終是與年青人攜手發掘作為耶穌基督的門徒在今日的意義。

三年前，我們以「同步人間」為主題，與年青人從馬太福音中學習道成肉身的耶穌基督如何與人同行。翌年，我們繼續查考使徒行傳，學習初期門徒如何秉承耶穌基督的教導，延續耶穌基督的事工。我們以「人間行傳」為題，是因信仰必須實踐於人間，也因這行傳從來未完，直至這一代仍在延續著。去年，我們進到研讀以弗所書，學習作為神安設在人間的信仰群體的角色和意義。「回到世界中心」是主耶穌基督對歷代教會的呼召，因為除了教會，這世界再無鹽無光。作為神的選民，教會必須守中，合一，聖潔；這是我們從以弗所書領受，也向年青人傳講的信息。

但以弗所書的信息未完。以弗所書6 :10：「我還有末了的話。」雖然與全書的脈胳不符，但保羅堅持要指出一個重要的真理：我們乃是生活在一場屬靈的爭戰當中。

以弗所書6:12：「因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。」在戰場上有在戰場上的生活方式。今日許多的基督徒跌倒，許多的教會跌倒，就是因為忘記了自己原是在戰場之上，還以為一切安全穩妥。這樣，便給了敵人攻其無備的機會。盲，是歷代基督徒的最普遍死因。

在戰場上，我們要守住「蓄勢」。

「蓄勢」有兩種力向。其一是「去」，是「動」，是「進」，是「攻」，是回應主在馬太福音28:18-20大使命的差遣。「蓄勢」的另一面乃是「來」，是「靜」，是「退」，是「守」，是回應主在馬太福音11:28-30叫人得安息的呼召。在戰場上，守住「蓄勢」，既進且退，攻守得宜的屬靈功力，重新紮根於最基本的屬靈操練，是這一代門徒必須要學會的生命技能。

保羅勸勉門徒，要穿上神所賜，本為屬於神自己的軍裝，就能站立得住。這軍裝，正是包含了攻與守的竅門，有守的配件，也有攻的配件，而且互相配合，就能「抵擋魔鬼的詭計。」

勤於操練，達至心中有劍，而且劍人合一，才能為主仗劍人間，蓄勢守中。

《好讀》第一期（1-4月）推介閱讀

2007-01-02T01:15:00.000-08:00

How To Read The Bible for All Its Worth
作者：Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart

本書是學習理解聖經的入門書。到底要怎樣解釋聖經才能真正了解神的意思？這本書用簡單淺白的方法，教你如何理解新舊約聖經的不同文體，讓你在讀經時能更投入神的話語當中。

Shaped by the Word
作者：Robert Mulholland

Mulholland 在 “Shaped by the Word” 一書中，開啟了一個新的向度，叫我們能在讀經中與神相遇。他指出，除了我們平時習慣了的資訊式讀經解經外，我們還需要建立另一種讀經的模式，讓自己被經文模造，容許神的說話深化我們與祂的關係，以致生命得以改變。

詳細介紹

Screwtape Letters
作者：C. S. Lewis

本書被譽為21世紀每一個基督徒都應該閱讀的書之一。本書的內容是一高級鬼魔寫給一新丁鬼魔，指導他如何去迷惑人的信。透過諷刺和幽默的筆法，作者將屬靈世界的爭戰展露在我們面前，提醒我們要時刻警醒，防備魔鬼的迷惑。

本書有中譯本，題為《地獄來鴻》。

《好讀》推介退修指引

2007-01-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

經歷神
作者：王志學

『經歷神』不是一部供閱讀的書，而是一本使用的工具書；叫我們進到有深度的個人反思。本書特別針對繁忙都市中的基督徒，以習作形式, 透過聖經真理、古聖先賢的嘉言懿行、個人感受、屬靈操練等, 幫助信徒經驗「得救在乎歸回安息, 得力在乎平靜安穩」。

《好讀》推介靈修指引

2007-01-02T01:08:00.000-08:00

My Utmost for His Highest
作者：Oswald Chambers

自1935年出版以來，Oswald Chambers的這本經典著作影響了無數的人的生命。365篇的靈修資料，每一篇都幫助大家將艱澀的神學變成實用，貼身，真確的信仰生活智慧。作者以幽默及謙卑的口吻，鼓勵在靈程路上掙扎的凡人。
我們推介的版本，是用現代淺白英語重寫的版本，令現代讀者能更用易明白書中的智慧。

本書有中譯本，題為《竭誠為主》。

屬靈閱讀是一樣失落了的寶貴資源

2006-12-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

我們常說，這一代的年輕人都是不喜歡閱讀的一代。他們看的是YouTube，Internet，最多是雜誌；全都是字沒有圖畫的書是沒有市場的。但許多書籍中的智慧，仍然是沒有其他方法可以取代傳達的。誠然，閱讀本身就是一種屬靈操練。將別人的信仰生命的精華，一個字一個字的讀入自己的生命中，絕對考驗我們對信仰的認真和堅忍。

是以，我們向你發出閱讀的挑戰。這其實是一個對生命進深的挑戰：你敢透過拿起書本，來叫自己的生命開往水深之處嗎？

我們將會每個學期為大家挑選三本書，都是與我們今年的主題有關的。我們挑戰大家，用一個學期在這三本書當中選擇一本，細心研讀，還自己一個成長的機會。另外，我們也選了一本靈修指引，供大家全年靈修之用；還有一本退修指引，可供大家每月一次退修之用。

為了鼓勵大家閱讀，我們特別設立了《好讀部落》blog (http://afcgoodread.blogspot.com)。我們會不時將我們閱讀這幾本書的領受在blog上與大家分享，也歡迎大家加入討論。